The Sunday Times reported yesterday that the BBC is considering dropping it's Formula 1 coverage when the current contract expires at the end of the 2012 season.
The BBC's award winning coverage has been well received by fans, and has seen a year-on-year increase in viewing figures since the sport moved from ITV.
Many people connected with the sport, including Bernie Ecclestone himself have said that would like to see the coverage remain with the BBC.
McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh has said that it would be "unwise" if they do not renew their contract into 2013 and beyond.
Even Formula 1 legend Sir Stirling Moss (@stirlingmosscom) used his Twitter page to support the BBC:
"Stirling is a huge fan of the #BBCF1 coverage @jakehumphreyf1 and the whole #BBCF1 team & hopes it stays firmly where it is now, on the #BBC"
The Sunday Times is part of the NewsCorp Group who were recently rumoured to be considering tabling a bid for Formula 1.
For more on this story, visit www.autosport.com
Attempting To Predict The Results Of Every Race Of The 2011 Formula 1 Season
Showing posts with label Jake Humphrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jake Humphrey. Show all posts
Monday, 20 June 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Senna & Ratzenberger Remembered
This weekend saw the 17th anniversary of the passing of two great Formula One drivers.
The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix saw young Austrian, Roland Ratzenberger, lose his life whilst qualifying for the Grand Prix in his Simtek.
The next day during the race, Ayrton Senna's Williams crashed from the lead of the race, killing the famous Brazilian.
Ratzenberger had failed to qualify in his first Grand Prix in Brazil, and qualified at the back of the grid for the Pacific Grand Prix. His third attempt was the Imola circuit in San Marino, but it was also to be his last, crashing at Villeneuve corner with a suspected front-wing problem.
Senna was, and still is, considered by many to be the greatest driver of all time. Having won three Drivers World Championships, and now looking for a fourth, the often controversial driver was leading the race before his car inexplicably left the circuit at the high speed Tamburello corner. He was airlifted to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Many people have left messages remembering the two drivers:
Lotus-Renault Test Driver Bruno Senna (Ayrton's nephew) - @BSenna:
"Thanks for all the good wishes! The most important thing is to keep the best Ayrton left for us always!! His best memories are what I keep."
BBC F1 Presenter Jake Humphrey - @Jakehumphreyf1:
"Unbelievable isn't it. This weekend SEVENTEEN years ago F1 lost #RolandRatzenberger and then the following day #Ayrton Senna. Lest we forget"
Formula One Journalist Craig Scarborough - @ScarbsF1:
"17 years since we lost senna & ratzenberger, surely a tough time today for team members who were at williams & simtek at the time."
The silver lining however, is that following increased safety requirements which have been introduced as a result of these accidents, no Formula One driver has been killed since this tragic weekend.
Roland Ratzenberger 4 July 1960 - 30 April 1994.
Ayrton Senna 21 March 1960 - 01 May 1994.
Rest In Peace
The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix saw young Austrian, Roland Ratzenberger, lose his life whilst qualifying for the Grand Prix in his Simtek.
The next day during the race, Ayrton Senna's Williams crashed from the lead of the race, killing the famous Brazilian.
Ratzenberger had failed to qualify in his first Grand Prix in Brazil, and qualified at the back of the grid for the Pacific Grand Prix. His third attempt was the Imola circuit in San Marino, but it was also to be his last, crashing at Villeneuve corner with a suspected front-wing problem.
Senna was, and still is, considered by many to be the greatest driver of all time. Having won three Drivers World Championships, and now looking for a fourth, the often controversial driver was leading the race before his car inexplicably left the circuit at the high speed Tamburello corner. He was airlifted to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Many people have left messages remembering the two drivers:
Lotus-Renault Test Driver Bruno Senna (Ayrton's nephew) - @BSenna:
"Thanks for all the good wishes! The most important thing is to keep the best Ayrton left for us always!! His best memories are what I keep."
BBC F1 Presenter Jake Humphrey - @Jakehumphreyf1:
"Unbelievable isn't it. This weekend SEVENTEEN years ago F1 lost #RolandRatzenberger and then the following day #Ayrton Senna. Lest we forget"
Formula One Journalist Craig Scarborough - @ScarbsF1:
"17 years since we lost senna & ratzenberger, surely a tough time today for team members who were at williams & simtek at the time."
The silver lining however, is that following increased safety requirements which have been introduced as a result of these accidents, no Formula One driver has been killed since this tragic weekend.
Roland Ratzenberger 4 July 1960 - 30 April 1994.
Ayrton Senna 21 March 1960 - 01 May 1994.
Rest In Peace
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Has Formula One Become Too Complicated?
Formula One drivers no longer have to simply drive their car. There is so much else they have to do at the same time.
For example, it is not considered unreasonable to expect a driver to use the KERS 'boost' button, the adjustable rear wing and to make other adjustments to the car on the same straight.
On occasions last season, Fernando Alonso was seen to operate his 'F-Duct' with his left hand and adjust some settings on his steering wheel with his right hand, effectively travelling at up to 200mph with no hands on the wheel!
Although F-Ducts are banned for 2011, the additional performance enhancers do raise a question of safety, as drivers should be fully focussed on the track ahead and the other drivers they share the track with. This has led some drivers to question the necessity of all the different driver assists.
After his first test session in the 2011 spec Williams, Rubens Barrichello commented:
"The only drawback from the day is that the number of buttons on the steering wheel can distract you from the driving"
"I don't think it's a danger, but I think it's a concern. In terms of execution, the additional controls are obviously necessary, but people have different steering wheels, so drivers may therefore be able to reach some buttons easier than others."
"The problem is you are taking your eye off the road. There is not a single straight where I don't press a button and change gear. In my role in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) we will keep talking about this, but I think the FIA will let us practice a little more. I think the strong comments will come now but will lessen as people get used to things."
(For this story in full visit ESPN.com)
Any drivers who struggle to utilise all the new tools at their disposal may find they miss out on valuable time, as Nico Rosberg explained:
"Sometimes its very complicated out there because my mind is concentrating on testing something, at the same time, I have someone shouting in my ear You forgot KERS, you forgot KERS!"
"Once you forget it, youre in a mess. Its quite confusing sometimes."
(For this story in full visit F1live.net)
To give you an idea of how much more technical the sport has become in recent years, here is a YouTube video - onboard with Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill in 1994.
For comparison, here is a 2011 Team Lotus steering wheel, which was loaned to BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey for a charity event (@jakehumphreyf1 on Twitter.com) and this is from a team who don't have KERS!
Hopefully, with one more test still to go before the new season, the drivers will have enough time to become fully familiar with their cars.
Alternatively, F1 journalist James Allen has suggested that now is the time to really encourage teams to employ female drivers, due to their superior multi-tasking abilities! (To read his full article, visit www.jamesallenonf1.com)
For example, it is not considered unreasonable to expect a driver to use the KERS 'boost' button, the adjustable rear wing and to make other adjustments to the car on the same straight.
On occasions last season, Fernando Alonso was seen to operate his 'F-Duct' with his left hand and adjust some settings on his steering wheel with his right hand, effectively travelling at up to 200mph with no hands on the wheel!
Although F-Ducts are banned for 2011, the additional performance enhancers do raise a question of safety, as drivers should be fully focussed on the track ahead and the other drivers they share the track with. This has led some drivers to question the necessity of all the different driver assists.
After his first test session in the 2011 spec Williams, Rubens Barrichello commented:
"The only drawback from the day is that the number of buttons on the steering wheel can distract you from the driving"
"I don't think it's a danger, but I think it's a concern. In terms of execution, the additional controls are obviously necessary, but people have different steering wheels, so drivers may therefore be able to reach some buttons easier than others."
"The problem is you are taking your eye off the road. There is not a single straight where I don't press a button and change gear. In my role in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) we will keep talking about this, but I think the FIA will let us practice a little more. I think the strong comments will come now but will lessen as people get used to things."
(For this story in full visit ESPN.com)
Any drivers who struggle to utilise all the new tools at their disposal may find they miss out on valuable time, as Nico Rosberg explained:
"Sometimes its very complicated out there because my mind is concentrating on testing something, at the same time, I have someone shouting in my ear You forgot KERS, you forgot KERS!"
"Once you forget it, youre in a mess. Its quite confusing sometimes."
(For this story in full visit F1live.net)
To give you an idea of how much more technical the sport has become in recent years, here is a YouTube video - onboard with Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill in 1994.
For comparison, here is a 2011 Team Lotus steering wheel, which was loaned to BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey for a charity event (@jakehumphreyf1 on Twitter.com) and this is from a team who don't have KERS!
Hopefully, with one more test still to go before the new season, the drivers will have enough time to become fully familiar with their cars.
Alternatively, F1 journalist James Allen has suggested that now is the time to really encourage teams to employ female drivers, due to their superior multi-tasking abilities! (To read his full article, visit www.jamesallenonf1.com)
Thursday, 17 February 2011
More Bahrain Problems
This weekend's GP2 race which was due to be held in Bahrain has been cancelled by the events organisers, as the political situation in the Country continues to deteriorate.
The first week in March is due to see the Formula One teams arrive for the final pre-season test, prior to the first race of the season at the same track.
F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that he will make a decision next week regarding whether the race will go-ahead as planned.
If the race does not go ahead in Bahrain, it is unlikely to be replaced. Therefore, Australia will likely hold the first Grand Prix of the new season.
Many motor racing personalities have used their Twitter accounts to give their views on what is going on:
Team Lotus Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne - @MikeGascoyne - "GP2 race has been cancelled in Bahrain. Big uncertainty about testing there next week. Hope our GP2 guys get home safely"
BBC F1 Commentator Martin Brundle - @MBrundleF1 - "Bahrain GP2 now cancelled by their motorsport federation. No point second guessing F1GP in such volatile circumstances but doesn't look good"
"When Spa was cancelled for track issues in 1985 they ran it later in the year, but F1 schedule, comerciality (sic), + TV so much more complex now"
"I've been to Bahrain 9 times, always found it very calm and pleasant place to be. One of my favourite GPs so shocked to see the news reports"
BBC F1 Presenter Jake Humphrey - @jakehumphreyf1 - "It seems the situation is worsening and may have degenerate (sic) further. To be honest when things are this serious sport takes second place"
For more, see www.autosport.com and www.twitter.com
The first week in March is due to see the Formula One teams arrive for the final pre-season test, prior to the first race of the season at the same track.
F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that he will make a decision next week regarding whether the race will go-ahead as planned.
If the race does not go ahead in Bahrain, it is unlikely to be replaced. Therefore, Australia will likely hold the first Grand Prix of the new season.
Many motor racing personalities have used their Twitter accounts to give their views on what is going on:
Team Lotus Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne - @MikeGascoyne - "GP2 race has been cancelled in Bahrain. Big uncertainty about testing there next week. Hope our GP2 guys get home safely"
BBC F1 Commentator Martin Brundle - @MBrundleF1 - "Bahrain GP2 now cancelled by their motorsport federation. No point second guessing F1GP in such volatile circumstances but doesn't look good"
"When Spa was cancelled for track issues in 1985 they ran it later in the year, but F1 schedule, comerciality (sic), + TV so much more complex now"
"I've been to Bahrain 9 times, always found it very calm and pleasant place to be. One of my favourite GPs so shocked to see the news reports"
BBC F1 Presenter Jake Humphrey - @jakehumphreyf1 - "It seems the situation is worsening and may have degenerate (sic) further. To be honest when things are this serious sport takes second place"
For more, see www.autosport.com and www.twitter.com
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